In a special virtual meeting on Monday, the Minnesota State High School League board of directors voted to reinstate the fall football and volleyball seasons.

THEY'RE BACK!

High school football, volleyball fall seasons are reinstated by MSHSL; schedules shortened
"I'm just happy these kids can be back playing and doing what they love." – Minneota volleyball coach Hayley Fruin

In a special virtual meeting on Monday, the Minnesota State High School League board of directors voted to reinstate the fall football and volleyball seasons.
The decisions came after the league polled nearly 400 school districts in the state. The majority of those surveyed preferred to have the seasons played in the fall rather than a spring "flex season."
In the survey, over 76 percent of the schools were in favor of reinstating volleyball, while over 80 percent are in favor of reinstating football.
Last month, the league postponed the football and volleyball seasons to spring due to concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic. The league reconsidered the decision after hearing many complaints from athletes and families.
Some referred to other neighboring states being allowed to play. Others mentioned the NFL and now the Big Ten football teams playing football this fall.
Both the football and volleyball seasons can start practice on Sept. 28.
Football will be 10 weeks long and include a six-game regular season schedule instead of the normal eight games in recent years. The season opener can be played on Oct. 9 or 10.
"It is good to have football back, but it will make things a little hectic until we get caught up," said Minneota football coach Chad Johnston. "All we ever wanted as a coaching staff is whatever is best for the kids. At least now we know the kids will have a season."
The football postseason will last two weeks beginning on Nov. 16, but end by Nov. 28. A full state tournament appears unlikely, as the postseason will likely be localized, league officials indicated. The postseason format has yet to be determined.
"Even when things were moved to the spring, there still was no guarantee that there would be a season," said Johnston. "Hopefully, now we can have the longest season possible and we know we won't have some of the issues that we were expecting in the spring with weather and poor field conditions."
As for volleyball, the season will last 11 weeks, with 14 dual competitions. Teams will get 10 practices in for preseason and then begin competition the week of Oct. 5.
"Looking forward to getting the season started on Monday," said Minneota Coach Hayley Fruin, who has guided the Vikings to consecutive Class A state titles. "I'm just happy these kids can be back playing and doing what they love and hopefully get the attention back on them."
In the framework that was approved by the board, two weeks of postseason play for volleyball would begin the week of Nov. 30. Like football, member schools have had the option of participating in voluntary training sessions since Sept. 14.
"The Minnesota State High School League continues to work to provide educational opportunities for our student athletes in the safest manner possible for all involved," said MSHSL Board of Directors President Blaine Novak. "Coming into the meeting, we knew that every decision we make affects every other decision for the rest of the calendar year.
"Today’s decision, based on what we currently know and with the unknowns of what spring will bring, is based on the belief that playing now provides us the best opportunity to play a football and volleyball season," Novak added.
According to MSHSL officials, COVID-19 restrictions bar spectators from attending indoor events in school facilities, such as gyms or pools. They also limit 250 spectators for any outdoor activity.
In approving the moves on Monday, the MSHSL board of directors used information provided by the Return to Participation Task Force.
The primary guiding principle during the process was to provide opportunities in the safest way possible in all League activities and athletics for the 2020-2021 school year.
Throughout their work, the board stressed that all aspects of athletics, including practices, competitions, transportation, and facility usage must align with the requirements of the Minnesota Department of Education Return to Learning models, must follow the requirements from the Minnesota Department of Health’s Guidance on Youth Sports, and must include the required actions identified in the Governor’s Executive Orders.
"We will definitely make the most of this fall and hopefully things keep getting better from here on out," said Fruin
So get out the pumps and start inflating the footballs and volleyballs.
Fall sports are back.

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